Connor Ballenden and Jack Clayton spent time in Melbourne at the AFL National Academy Camp. The Lions have won the opening two rounds of the series against Gold Coast and the Sydney Swans and will take on Tasmania after the scheduled game was washed out with Cyclone Debbie a few weeks ago.

The academy series, is the restructured version of the former division two championships, with all four northern clubs fielding their own academy sides in the revamped competition alongside Tasmania and the Northern Territory.

It will run through to May 6, before the division one championships begin on June 10.

Lions forward, Ballenden, looks set to be the most prominent academy prospect this year, with the marking goal kicker tipped to be an early selection at this year’s National Draft in Sydney.

Meanwhile, the first ever girls AFL Northern Academy carnival will begin in Coffs Harbour on Friday.

Teams from the Gold Coast SUNS, Sydney Swans and Giants will complete, with the carnival forming part of the selection process for the QLD U18 Girls Squad.

With two pre-season wins over the SUNS girls, Lions Academy Manager Luke Curran is confident that many of his players will earn selection in the QLD squad.

Lions Academy Game details:

Lions Academy v Tasmania

Tidbold Park, Victoria Point, 9.30am

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs